New Delhi:
A transgender actor Laverne Cox creates history with her own Barbie doll. It is the first-ever trans-doll.
Her dolls are dressed in a deep red tulle gown over a sparkling silver metallic bodysuit. It also has bright blonde, voluminous hair to mirror Cox’s signature style.
In conversation with People, Laverne expressed her gratitude, hoping the new doll would help people “dream big”.
“I can’t believe it. I love her outfit. What excites me most about her being out in the world is that trans young people can see her and maybe get to purchase her and play with her, and know that there’s a Barbie made by Mattel, for the first time, in the likeness of a trans person,” she said.
“I think in an environment where trans children have been used as a political football, when over 250 pieces of anti-trans legislation have been introduced in state legislatures all over the country in 2022 alone, and access to gender-affirming healthcare has been denied by policies signed into law in my home state of Alabama, in Arkansas and other states… That in this environment where trans kids are being attacked, that this can also be a celebration of transness, and also a space for them to dream, understand and be reminded that trans is beautiful,” Laverne added.
Earlier, Cox told E! News, “I helped design this with the team at Mattel and I wanted to do multiple outfits. But to make it cost-effective—$40 retail—we could only do one look.”
Asking about the solution Cox revealed.
She said, “I was like, ‘What if we did a look that peeled? She gives you a catsuit fantasy, honey. Transgender Barbie is in effect. She’s giving you looks. She’s giving you everything.”
Speaking about the visit to Mattel’s design centre in Los Angeles.
She said, “It was so fascinating to see the whole process and all of the incredible professionals who put their hearts and souls into designing this.”
“The machine they use, they were using the same machine since 1959. It’s a 60-year-old machine,” she shared. “It still works, and girl, the process is amazing,” further added.
Laverne shared a moment when she met one of her favourite celebs at the Grammys.
“I was on my way to the Grammys and I was checking in and Lenny Kravitz walked by. Lenny Kravitz sees me, turns around and walks towards me and says, ‘I just have to tell you, you did such a great job portraying my friend Kacy Duke [on Inventing Anna] of 30 years. You were so amazing.’ And he walked away and I was like, ‘What happened?” she said.
(With inputs from ANI)
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